Does Diabetes influence sexual function in women

Only few data exist on how diabetes affects sexual function in women. The aims of the study were to conduct a literature search and a clinical study to investigate the effect of diabetes on sexual function in women. A Medline search was conducted for the review. In the clinical study 1380 women (age of 18 –60 yrs) were invited to participate. 469 with diabetes (DM) and 911 without diabetes (controls). The women completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Derogatis Distress Scale (FSDS). X2 and two-sites T-test were used for statistical analysis.

Though the numbers of identified studies are increasing the effect of diabetes on Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) is still unclear. Several studies have shown an impairment of sexual function in diabetic women; especially psychological factors are related to FSD. Endpoints, control groups and definitions differ between the identified studies. In the clinical study 1136 women (82%) returned the questionnaire;367 DM (78%) and n=769 controls (84%). Of the DM, 316 had type I diabetes (mean age 39.4±8.7 yrs) and 51 type II (mean age 47.0±8.2 yrs). 734 age-matched controls were included. Significantly more DM (36 %) reported sexual distress than controls (29 %, p= 0.03). In type I, 36 % reported distress (controls 29 %,p=0.03), in type II no difference in level of distress was shown (35 % vs 31 %,p=0.71). No significant difference was found in total FSFI scores when comparing type I and II diabetics with controls. The effect of diabetes on sexual function in women is still unclear.